Mark I, II, III

deadzero · 03-21-2009, 07:42 AM

what are the differences between the "standard" Mark I, II, and III pistols? are the mags different? by just looking at the pictures I can not tell the difference. the main reason i ask is I have one made in 1976 and not sure which model it is. but generally, for my own info, i wanted to find out all the differences. thanks for any info you can provide.

neophyte · 03-21-2009, 08:40 AM

deadzero: Sir; the simple; go to Rugers site and look up part #numbers. I am not trying to cut you short. Easier from the horse's mouth to see without guessing

The MK111 is completly different. from the MK11; Do no interchange

Ruger Pistol Parts Booklet

WhiteFalcon · 03-21-2009, 11:16 AM

I believe this is the standard!

nathangdad · 03-21-2009, 11:32 AM

it is a matter of "tweaking" the design. Any of them are good.
All of them could use a trigger job or an aftermarket trigger.

Don't feel bad if you have an older design.

SwedeSteve · 03-21-2009, 03:59 PM

If it was built in 1976, it's A MK I.
Here's a good ref with pics.

http://guntalk-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=934

TheJoker · 03-21-2009, 04:05 PM

My Mark I was made in 1976 and it has "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" stamped on the top of the receiver. Was that a limited run or was it done on all Mark I's made in 1976?

SwedeSteve · 03-21-2009, 05:18 PM

I believe so. PM DeadZero and see if his has it !!

Go Navy · 03-22-2009, 12:18 AM

Picture here is of a Mk III I bought for my wife and she likes it. She picked it out in the store over a couple other brands. I put Ruger's optional factory grips on it (can't remember...they're either Rosewood or Cocobolo). This is the Target model. Note the bull barrel, and adjustable sights. Note the mag release at the rear of the trigger guard, the slide release at the top of the grip panel, and the fire/safe button. The trigger on this one is good as it came out of the box, and the strength required to cycle the slide is pretty easy for the wife. I was able to group about 2-3 inches with it in an offhand stance at about 10-12 yards, and I'm not familiar with these pistols. However, I think it is inherently accurate. It shoots very well. I might do better with practice. Wife shot well from a rest, but due to lack of experience/trigger control, she was not so accurate shooting offhand. The sights as they came from the factory were dialed in just about right. It's a fine product.

deadzero · 03-22-2009, 04:40 AM

yes, it has the stamping "Made in The 200th Year of American Liberty" across the top of the upper. that was the main reason I bought it at the time. not sure but i think the mag may be different between the mark I and mark II. I was looking at the mark III's on rugers website and when i got all the way down to the standard model it looks the same as the others except for the emblem color. (mines a golden color). I was just wondering what changes were made between the models. this is a great little pistol. it's accurate and reliable.

neophyte · 03-22-2009, 06:19 AM

deadzero: Sir; to remove confusion with my answer.

The magazines are ''not'' the same

with MK11 MK111

Internally; the parts do interchange with a couple of differences. MK11 and MK111

deadzero · 03-22-2009, 06:33 AM

at least now i'm pretty sure it's a Mark I. guess i should order a spare mag from Ruger to be sure and get the right one. I've been thinking of getting a new one with a bull barrel and was wondering what the differences were. ( not sure if i'm going new or used yet)

SgtKnuckles · 03-22-2009, 02:59 PM

That Ruger Mk I II III L00K just like an old WE P 08 Luger German Nazi Pistol, don't it...
1908 Luger

deadzero · 03-23-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

If it was built in 1976, it's A MK I.
Here's a good ref with pics.

GunTalk-Online.com :: View topic - Ruger 22 Auto model comparison chart

thank you, that helped a lot.

and yes they do have similarities to the P-08. My dad has a WWII P-08, (that I wish he would give me), and I have the WWII Walther P-38 made 4 months before the Normandy invasion.

SwedeSteve · 03-23-2009, 05:02 PM

Ruger copied the grip angle on his pistols from the Luger. And now you have a choice between the Luger angle or the 1911 45 angle.

NRAJOE · 03-23-2009, 06:07 PM

My 1970 MkI target....

SwedeSteve · 03-23-2009, 07:40 PM

She looks to be in great shape Joe !!

SwedeSteve · 03-25-2009, 10:03 PM

You just gotta love these pistols !!

NRAJOE · 03-26-2009, 04:24 PM

Yup...like to get a bull barrel next....

SwedeSteve · 04-05-2009, 03:21 PM

My MK II and my MK III have bull barrels.

DaTeacha · 04-05-2009, 08:01 PM

All Rugers built in 1976 have the "...200th year of American Freedom" roll engraving on them. Collectors refer to them as Bicentennial models. I have a Number 1 in 22-250 built that year. I don't know that they command a premium yet, but I think they should.

NRAJoe - nice gun! My first one was almost the same, but I had the wood grip panels with the left side thumbrest. I made up a set of Cherry stocks and included a finger rest on the right panel. Great shooter! I finally sold it about 15 years after buying it because I was having feeding problems. The guy who bought it tweaked the mag lips and it was fine.

I now have a Mark II 22/45 and another MkI Target in 6 7/8 barrel. No wood stocks on that one, but it's NIB. (Red Ruger box plus plain cardboard shipping box with matching numbers.) The shop I got it from is run by a childhood friend of my wife and her brother. He has several more in like condition, but you wouldn't know it to walk into his shop -- it looks more like someone's basement or garage full of junk than a sporting goods shop, but he stays in business. He's in Bucyrus, about an hour and a half from you, depending on where in Toledo you are. PM me if you want more details.

MK IIIs have a loaded chamber indicator, among other things.

Looking at my 22/45 and MkI mags, I can say they are different, but can be inserted into the other gun. I don't know if they will function since the lips are different and the bases are different enough to prevent complete insertion due to the unique parts of the 22/45. The 22/45 has a bigger thumb button and some built in ribs, but the grooves on the sides align. The springs are different. In the Mk I, you can see spring coils through the mag sides, but not on the Mk II. On the 22/45, it's just in the front side. The mag angle is different from the grip angle on the 22'45, so the base plate is kind of funny looking when it's out of the gun. The mag fits in the grip at an angle instead of parallel to the front and back of it. The mag release is different, too, at least on the .22/45, where it is similar to that on a 1911. The MkI slide comes forward on a full mag when you work the safety from safe to fire. The MkII has a slide release button just above the rear of the trigger guard to do that job. I think they're all like that, but it could be unique to the .22/45

Hope this helps some.

03-21-2009, 07:42 AM	#1
deadzero Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: deep in the swamps SC Posts: 1,199	Mark I, II, III what are the differences between the "standard" Mark I, II, and III pistols? are the mags different? by just looking at the pictures I can not tell the difference. the main reason i ask is I have one made in 1976 and not sure which model it is. but generally, for my own info, i wanted to find out all the differences. thanks for any info you can provide.

03-21-2009, 08:40 AM	#2
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 8,822 Blog Entries: 2	Ruger deadzero: Sir; the simple; go to Rugers site and look up part #numbers. I am not trying to cut you short. Easier from the horse's mouth to see without guessing The MK111 is completly different. from the MK11; Do no interchange Ruger Pistol Parts Booklet __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24

03-21-2009, 11:16 AM	#3
WhiteFalcon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 133	I believe this is the standard! Attached Thumbnails

03-21-2009, 11:32 AM	#4
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,164	To make it relatively simple and short it is a matter of "tweaking" the design. Any of them are good. All of them could use a trigger job or an aftermarket trigger. Don't feel bad if you have an older design.

03-21-2009, 03:59 PM	#5
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	If it was built in 1976, it's A MK I. Here's a good ref with pics. http://guntalk-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=934 __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers Last edited by SwedeSteve; 03-21-2009 at 04:04 PM.

03-21-2009, 04:05 PM	#6
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,071	My Mark I was made in 1976 and it has "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" stamped on the top of the receiver. Was that a limited run or was it done on all Mark I's made in 1976? __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long

03-21-2009, 05:18 PM	#7
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	I believe so. PM DeadZero and see if his has it !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-22-2009, 12:18 AM	#8
Go Navy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Taxifornia Posts: 117	Picture here is of a Mk III I bought for my wife and she likes it. She picked it out in the store over a couple other brands. I put Ruger's optional factory grips on it (can't remember...they're either Rosewood or Cocobolo). This is the Target model. Note the bull barrel, and adjustable sights. Note the mag release at the rear of the trigger guard, the slide release at the top of the grip panel, and the fire/safe button. The trigger on this one is good as it came out of the box, and the strength required to cycle the slide is pretty easy for the wife. I was able to group about 2-3 inches with it in an offhand stance at about 10-12 yards, and I'm not familiar with these pistols. However, I think it is inherently accurate. It shoots very well. I might do better with practice. Wife shot well from a rest, but due to lack of experience/trigger control, she was not so accurate shooting offhand. The sights as they came from the factory were dialed in just about right. It's a fine product. __________________ GOA/NRA Life Member USN Veteran Last edited by Go Navy; 03-22-2009 at 12:25 AM.

03-22-2009, 04:40 AM	#9
deadzero Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: deep in the swamps SC Posts: 1,199	yes, it has the stamping "Made in The 200th Year of American Liberty" across the top of the upper. that was the main reason I bought it at the time. not sure but i think the mag may be different between the mark I and mark II. I was looking at the mark III's on rugers website and when i got all the way down to the standard model it looks the same as the others except for the emblem color. (mines a golden color). I was just wondering what changes were made between the models. this is a great little pistol. it's accurate and reliable.

03-22-2009, 06:19 AM	#10
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 8,822 Blog Entries: 2	confused myself: deadzero: Sir; to remove confusion with my answer. The magazines are ''not'' the same with MK11 MK111 Internally; the parts do interchange with a couple of differences. MK11 and MK111 __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24

03-22-2009, 06:33 AM	#11
deadzero Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: deep in the swamps SC Posts: 1,199	at least now i'm pretty sure it's a Mark I. guess i should order a spare mag from Ruger to be sure and get the right one. I've been thinking of getting a new one with a bull barrel and was wondering what the differences were. ( not sure if i'm going new or used yet) Last edited by deadzero; 03-22-2009 at 06:36 AM.

03-22-2009, 02:59 PM	#12
SgtKnuckles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 450 Images: 2	That Ruger Mk I II III L00K just like an old WE P 08 Luger German Nazi Pistol, don't it... 1908 Luger

03-23-2009, 05:02 PM	#14
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	Ruger copied the grip angle on his pistols from the Luger. And now you have a choice between the Luger angle or the 1911 45 angle. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-23-2009, 06:07 PM	#15
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,737 Images: 3	My 1970 MkI target.... __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

03-23-2009, 07:40 PM	#16
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	She looks to be in great shape Joe !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-25-2009, 10:03 PM	#17
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	You just gotta love these pistols !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-26-2009, 04:24 PM	#18
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,737 Images: 3	Yup...like to get a bull barrel next.... __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

04-05-2009, 03:21 PM	#19
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	My MK II and my MK III have bull barrels. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-05-2009, 08:01 PM	#20
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 2,913	All Rugers built in 1976 have the "...200th year of American Freedom" roll engraving on them. Collectors refer to them as Bicentennial models. I have a Number 1 in 22-250 built that year. I don't know that they command a premium yet, but I think they should. NRAJoe - nice gun! My first one was almost the same, but I had the wood grip panels with the left side thumbrest. I made up a set of Cherry stocks and included a finger rest on the right panel. Great shooter! I finally sold it about 15 years after buying it because I was having feeding problems. The guy who bought it tweaked the mag lips and it was fine. I now have a Mark II 22/45 and another MkI Target in 6 7/8 barrel. No wood stocks on that one, but it's NIB. (Red Ruger box plus plain cardboard shipping box with matching numbers.) The shop I got it from is run by a childhood friend of my wife and her brother. He has several more in like condition, but you wouldn't know it to walk into his shop -- it looks more like someone's basement or garage full of junk than a sporting goods shop, but he stays in business. He's in Bucyrus, about an hour and a half from you, depending on where in Toledo you are. PM me if you want more details. MK IIIs have a loaded chamber indicator, among other things. Looking at my 22/45 and MkI mags, I can say they are different, but can be inserted into the other gun. I don't know if they will function since the lips are different and the bases are different enough to prevent complete insertion due to the unique parts of the 22/45. The 22/45 has a bigger thumb button and some built in ribs, but the grooves on the sides align. The springs are different. In the Mk I, you can see spring coils through the mag sides, but not on the Mk II. On the 22/45, it's just in the front side. The mag angle is different from the grip angle on the 22'45, so the base plate is kind of funny looking when it's out of the gun. The mag fits in the grip at an angle instead of parallel to the front and back of it. The mag release is different, too, at least on the .22/45, where it is similar to that on a 1911. The MkI slide comes forward on a full mag when you work the safety from safe to fire. The MkII has a slide release button just above the rear of the trigger guard to do that job. I think they're all like that, but it could be unique to the .22/45 Hope this helps some. __________________ Teach NRA -- If you're reading this, you should be a member. United, We Stand. Last edited by DaTeacha; 04-05-2009 at 08:09 PM.